Yesterday was one of those days where very little went as planned. Originally on the schedule was Santa pictures in the morning, followed by a nap, Christmas crafts with the kids. Concluding the evening with a drive with my best friend and our children, sipping hot cocoa and looking at Christmas lights.

Instead, after doing Santa pictures with the kids I went in to check on the elderly family member we are caring for. I intended to get her all tucked in for a nap and then head in to lay down for awhile myself. When I got to her room, I found that she was not well. I knew right away that we were heading to the hospital, but called her home health care nurse anyway. She also wanted us to seek medical care. It was decided that she was feeling poorly enough that transporting her in one of our vehicles would be very uncomfortable, and possibly dangerous, so we called for an ambulance transport. And then I called to cancel our evening plans.

I have come to the point that I generally don't mention my pending nursing school, preferring instead to be a 'commoner', but my medical speak that is so second nature gave me away. The medics that came to transport us to the hospital took down my quick report and in the next quiet moment asked if I had medical training. We explained that we were both accepted into the nursing program, and that my husband had worked for this very ambulance company previously. They were thrilled that I had her current medications all laid out for them to easily copy down and we were ready to go in just a few short minutes.

I opted to ride with my father instead of in the ambulance and we followed them in. When the ambulance pulled to the side of the road with it's flashers on I watched for a moment and then let my worried father know that since the driver wasn't leaving the drivers seat to assist in the back it was likely that they were just pulled over while the medic placed an IV line. Better to place them while the rig is still if you have the luxury.

Thankfully, our hospital stay was short... she was discharged again 8 hours later. And, as we could not have given the required treatment at home, it was a necessary visit. I feel good about making the call to transport, we didn't waste their time with something that could have been handled elsewhere and we didn't wait too long and thus prolong her stay.

I was impressed with the level of compassion and care we received. It was obvious that there were many patients to be seen, and yet the time we spent with doctors, nurses and techs didn't feel rushed. The nurse was very surprised when I offered to glove up and help her get the patient cleaned up and ready to go home.

I couldn't help but feel caught in limbo while I was there. I've not yet received any nursing training so I'm not one of them... but I know more than the normal family member in the ER with a patient. Also, although it would seem like being with a patient in the hospital would be easy, I came home exhausted and with one of the worst headaches of my life. Just another experience to carry with me as I learn to be a compassionate nurse not just for my patients, but also for those with them.